There are always two sides to urbanisation in cities: informal and formal. The planned ones, developed by government authorities and located on legal land, are the formal settlement areas. On the other hand, unplanned settlements, hazardously situated in different areas of cities, commonly fall into the category of informal settlements. These areas, known as slums, are built by low-income groups to access resources and find suitable employment easily. In India, the ratio of slums is particularly high. Informal urban spaces are interesting to scholars and policymakers as they come in different forms, shapes, and sizes according to the population. The nation’s division and the post-independence economic boom are the two primary factors of the notable rise in slum populations since 1947. Before 1950, slums were primarily located around mills and factories, housing mostly industrial workers in one-room tenements. Providing healthcare and services to these areas became a major issue. Rather than decreasing, the density of slums began to grow within and around the cities. The number of slums expanded by 18% between 1950 and 1968. After reaching an enormous high in the 1970s, half of the city’s inhabitants had relocated into slums by 1980.
Dharavi, for example, is an informal settlement consisting of 85 communities and 700,000 inhabitants. The growth of such slums depends on the level of employment, as people from rural areas migrate to urban sectors for better job opportunities and higher wages. Hence it is clear from the urban growth that these informal settlements are directly proportional to the urban growth. However, it’s important to consider who these people are and the reasons behind their shift to a new working era in their lives. Many migrants settle in these areas due to lack of the availability of rental houses hence suffering basic amenities like clean drinking water and hygiene.
In India, 52 million people exist in slums in over 26 states as per the 2001 Census. Based on the 2011 Census, 65 million people inhabited slums distributed across 29 states and two union territories. The states with the highest number of slum residents were Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Madhya Pradesh, next to Maharashtra (11.8 million). It is essential to keep in mind that a lot of rural Indian communities lack access to basic amenities, which leads to low living standards in both urban and rural areas.
Challenges vs reality
The removal of slums in urban areas presents significant challenges. To reorganise these areas into formal settlements, we must overcome many obstacles, including land scarcity. As the population continues to grow, the demand for land increases, leading to more construction on both vacant and occupied land. This trend directly contributes to the worsening climatic conditions. If this cycle continues unchecked, it will have long-lasting effects. Therefore, we should carefully consider the necessity of any construction on our planet. Repurposing existing buildings can address some of these issues. Failing to consider these factors will have serious implications for the future of our planet. By using resources wisely, we can mitigate many of these challenges moving forward. In contemporary India, the slums are home to hardworking individuals who face a lack of opportunities, leading to the perpetuation of poverty and widening the gap between the poor and the wealthy.
There are many government initiatives that talk about upgrading slum conditions, providing subsidies, and loans for slum development, Improving sanitation and other services for slum people, etc. Slum Areas Act (1956), National Slum Development Programme (NSDP) 1996, Valmiki Ambedkar Awas Yojana (2001), Basic Services to the Urban Poor (BSUP), Slum Redevelopment Scheme 1995, Integrated Housing & Slum Development Programme (IHSDP), Interest Subsidy Scheme for housing the Urban poor (ISHUP), Rajiv Awas Yojana (2013), Smart City Mission, Housing for all by 2022, The National Heritage city development and Augmentation Yojana (HRIDAY), the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT).
Slums play an important role in the economy and society as a whole. They have the potential to be revitalised through the establishment of comprehensive education and healthcare systems. A significant challenge that persists in our society is the lack of awareness about the issues affecting slum dwellers. It’s also important to recognize the value of rural areas in terms of climate and the preservation of traditional culture. Introducing employment opportunities and essential services in villages can help reduce the migration to urban slums. It is essential to acknowledge that slums are not separate entities but an integral part of our society. Their progress is critical not only for improving living conditions but also for fostering a more conscientious and equitable community. The number of informal settlements is increasing along with urbanisation. It’s critical to keep in mind that on the same piece of land, the formal settlements of today were formerly informal settlements.
Reference list:
India’s Slums Need to be Transformed as India rises, Greater Pacific
https://www.greaterpacificcapital.com/thought-leadership/indias-slums-need-to-be-transformed-as-india-rises#:~:text=The%20report%20found%20that%20a,education%2C%20and%20law%20and%20order [Accessed: 25 July 2024]
Gupta S., 2024. Slum Development in India, Challenges, Government Initiatives, StudyIQ
https://www.studyiq.com/articles/slum-development-in-india/?srsltid=AfmBOoqLw_Nnzx7j0W_teXeDiqU41w0uq80JQC2s8XlETdIyM16i-5n3 [Accessed: 21 July 2024]
Mahabir. R., Stefanidis. A., Crooks. A., Croitoru. A., (2018). A Critical Review of High and very high-resolution Remote Sensing Approaches for Detecting and Mapping Slums: Trends, Challenges and Emerging Opportunities, Urban Science
https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci2010008 [Accessed: 21 July 2024]
